JPH09130506A - Passive information access system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow the device and method to provide a passive information access used by one service provider and a service subscriber system having at least one subscriber unit. SOLUTION: The passive information access system includes a receiver to detect an initializing signal from a data base and a subscriber unit and a host computer 20 identifying the subscriber unit, based on the detected initializing signal, accessing the data base 22 to extract a subscriber information intrinsic to the identified subscriber information, and exhibiting at least part of the accessed subscriber information to the identified subscriber unit. Thus, when a subscriber activates its subscriber unit, part of the related subscriber information is passively displayed on a display device or announced from a voice generator. Furthermore, the host computer 20 detects an end signal from the subscriber unit and updates the subscriber information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a class of add-on subscriber services applied for communication, banking and entertainment purposes. More specifically, the present invention relates to a passive information service in which passive information is updated and provided to users.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Mobile radiotelephone systems, credit card systems or interactive division systems are generally central or distributed to multiple subscribers to provide services such as telephone connectivity or pay-per-view. Type service provider. Service providers include equipment for performing a variety of tasks including subscriber data collection, usage verification, data processing, customer service, billing and accounting. For example, interactive television systems include a communication network that carries signals from the head end of the cable to a distribution hub from which the signals are sent to subscribers through trunks, feeders and drop cables.
The interactive television system also includes a processor for billing and accounting at the headend. Similar system arrangements exist in credit card systems. In that case, telephone transmission lines are used to communicate with point-of-sale terminals located on the subscriber's premises, and the host computer uses them to make appropriate authenticity checks and to process billing information. Be seen. In a mobile radio telephone system, a call originated from a cellular telephone is picked up by a receiving circuit in a cell site near the cellular telephone and transferred to a mobile communication switching system via a terrestrial trunk line, Virtually sent to the telephone network. Accounting and billing information for subscribers is typically stored and processed in a host computer connected to the switching system. In a typical cellular telephone system, the switching system is 12 hours to 24 hours.
Establishes communication with the host computer once every hour,
Download the record of calls stored in the switching system during that period.

To limit unauthorized cellular telephone calls, some cellular service providers monitor normal cellular activity, such as a large number of calls during a short time span. In such a monitoring process, the switching system can download the accessed data more frequently than every 12 to 24 hours.

US Pat. No. 5,241,588 and US Pat. No. 5,345,380 disclose methods and apparatus for providing a user-selectable customized telephone service. Subscribers can customize their telephone services such as call screening and call waiting. For example, the subscriber may specify a time period during which call screening is valid. However, the customized services described herein do not include access to information stored in the telephone network that is associated with the subscriber's personal account.

[0005]

Generally, a subscriber does not check his account information unless he suspects that there is a problem with billing telephone charges or that there has been unauthorized use. In most cases, fraudulent or unauthorized use goes unnoticed until the monthly bill is received. In addition to the invoice content received from the service provider, subscribers can only access their account information through the telephone service provider's customer representative. Upon receipt of such a request, the customer representative accesses the subscriber's account database in the exchange system and provides the subscriber with the requested information, such as billing information or the resulting charges. .

US Pat. No. 5,14 to Beckman
No. 6,490 proposes a passive telephone call logging system that time stamps incoming and outgoing telephone calls. This system is a service to access your current account information.
Trying to eliminate the process of having to contact the provider. The system includes a display that displays the dialed number and the age of the call in a constantly updated format. Also, the format of the display can be individually customized to display only the requested information. Beckman's system shows that the subscriber station at the subscriber's premises includes a processor and memory means for processing and updating call and time information.

[0007]

The apparatus according to the invention provides a passive information access system for use in a service subscription system comprising a service provider and at least one subscriber unit. The passive information system includes a database for storing subscriber information specific to a subscriber and a receiver for detecting an initialization signal from the subscriber unit when each subscriber unit is activated. There is. The passive information access system also identifies the activated subscriber unit from the detected initialization signal, accesses database to retrieve subscriber information specific to the identified subscriber unit, and It also includes a host computer for presenting at least a portion of the accessed subscriber information to the identified subscriber unit.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 1 shows a cellular telephone network including a passive information access system. As used in this application, "subscriber" and "caller" refer to the entity on which the subscriber service is provided, and "service provider" is usually subscribed to multiple subscribers. Refers to an entity that includes the means for providing services and implementing passive information access. The cellular telephone network includes a service provider 8. The service provider 8 includes a cellular base station 12, a switching system 14, a subscriber profile database 18, a host computer 20, a subscriber information database 22, a subscriber profile database backup 24, a backup host.
It includes a computer 26 and a subscriber information database backup 28. The service provider 8 may be either centralized or distributed, the cellular telephones 9, 10, 11 and the receiving telephones 15, 1
Communicate with 6 and 17. The passive information access system includes all components of the cellular network except the receiving telephones 15, 16, 17.

Each of the cellular telephones 9, 10, 11 or the subscriber unit preferably includes a display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED) display. Cellular base station 12 includes antennas and radios for communicating with cellular telephones 9, 10, 11. The cellular base station 12 also includes one or more conventional transmission equipment connected to the switching system 14 via trunk lines. The switching system 14 comprises cellular telephones 9, 10, 11 and receiving telephones 15, 16, 1
The call processing function for 7 is executed. Exchange system 1
4 processes the dialed number and connects the call to the receiving telephone 15,16,17. The switching system may be in a network provided by a local switching carrier (LEC) such as a cellular telephone company or one of the local companies operated by Bell. Alternatively, switching system 14 may be provided by a long distance carrier such as AT & T. In addition, the switching system 14 uses the subscriber profile database 1
8, a host computer 20 and a subscriber information database 22 can be included. The host computer 20 operates in connection with the subscriber information database 22 and the subscriber profile database 18. Host computer 20 and backup host computer 26 operate in essentially the same manner, processing, storing, updating and retrieving the required data within the fraction of a second required to complete the call. . The subscriber information database 22 contains, among other data, subscriber unit identification, usage information including accumulated calls for each cellular telephone 9, 10, 11 since the most recent billing period, and cellular telephone 9, 10 ,. Maintain unpaid amount for 11. Every time a subscriber turns on his cellular telephone 9, 10, 11, all such data is
It can be displayed to the subscriber from the passive information access system. Instead, the subscriber profile database 18 maintains a display format for each cellular telephone 9, 10, 11 in which the subscriber may pre-specify the page format, such as some portion of the data. Backup databases 24 and 28 are essentially databases 18 and 22.
Keep the same information as. Database 18, 22, 24
And 28 can be partitioned into different memory areas allocated for each cellular telephone 9, 10, 11.

2 and 3 are cellular telephones 9, 10,
13 is a flow chart showing the operation of a passive information access system connected to one of the 11's. More specifically, FIG. 2 illustrates steps of operations processed within cellular telephone 10, and FIG. 3 illustrates steps of operations processed within service provider 8. When the cellular telephone 10 is turned on (step 30), the cellular telephone 10 periodically sends an initialization signal containing the service provider and subscriber unit identification code to the service provider 8 (step 3).
2). Service Provider 8 Cellular Base
Station 12 detects the initialization signal and sends the signal to host computer 20. The host computer 20 then extracts the subscriber unit identification code from the detected initialization signal to cause the cellular telephone 1
0 and the subscriber associated with the cellular telephone 10 (step 36). Such identification code schemes are commonly used in current cellular telephone systems. As part of this identification scheme, the host computer 20 accesses the subscriber information database 22 to retrieve usage information specific to the identified subscriber 10 and to check the account of the identified subscriber (step 38). For example, if a subscriber of the cellular telephone 10 reports unauthorized use to the service provider 8, such as theft, loss or unauthorized use of the cellular telephone 10, such a record along with the identity of the cellular telephone 10 is identified. It is stored in the subscriber information database 22. Thereafter, when the cellular telephone 10 is turned on, the service provider 8 identifies the cellular telephone 10 along with the accessed information reflecting its unauthorized use. The service provider operates in a prepared fraud prevention mode, such as activating the inquiry process or rejecting initialization attempts (steps 41, 45).

During the identity verification process, the passive information access system of the present invention utilizes the usage information retrieved from the subscriber information database 22 to identify the required portion of the usage information to the identified cellular telephone 10. To provide.
To present the particular portion of the usage information requested by the subscriber, host computer 20 retrieves a predetermined presentation format from subscriber profile database 18 (step 39). The predetermined presentation format can be selected in advance by the subscriber of the cellular service at the time of signing up for the cellular service subscription, for example.
At such times, the subscriber selects a portion of the usage information presented so that it will be presented whenever cellular telephone 10 is turned on. For example, the subscriber may choose to be presented with the number of minutes used since the most recent billing period. At this time, the cellular service provider 8 stores the selected presentation format in the subscriber profile database 18. In addition, the presentation mode is predetermined and the cellular telephone 1
0 screen display and voice announcement (preferably,
Between voice converters). The on-screen display of cellular telephone 10 can use either an LCD or LED display.
Audio converters are one type of digital signal processor well known in the art for converting digital signals to audio signals. Subscriber information in a predetermined format is sent to cellular telephone 10 (step 42) and received by cellular telephone 10 (step 44). The presentation is then made in display mode, audio mode or both (steps 46a and 46b). Based on the information presented, the subscriber can track the usage of his account and detect fraudulent activity. For example, the subscriber contacts cellular service provider 8 and closes his cellular account when the information presented includes a record he did not make.

After presenting the accessed information, the subscriber dials the telephone number he wishes to call (step 4).
8). Switching system in a cellular network 14
Connects the call to the receiving telephone 16 (step 50). Host computer 2 for billing purposes
Zero can record a timestamp at the beginning and end of each call. When the cellular telephone 10 is turned off (step 50), the cellular telephone 10 sends an end signal (step 52). Cellular base station 12 detects the termination signals and sends these signals to host computer 20 via switching system 14 (step 54). Alternatively, host computer 20 can process usage data for each call. The usage information in the subscriber information database 22 is updated based on the processed usage data (step 58). For example, the total minutes of use is increased only during these calls. At the same time, the unused minutes remaining from the monthly service plan are reduced only during the call.

FIG. 4 shows an example of data stored in the subscriber information database 22. It can be in the form of a table with columns and rows. Table 60 shows a subscriber unit identification number 62, total usage 64 showing the total number of cellular service minutes used since the most recent billing period, and the number of unused minutes remaining from the monthly service plan. Free usage 66 may be included. The total usage 64 is typically reset to 0, for example, at the end of each monthly billing period, by transferring the balance to the account report. Therefore, at the beginning of each month, the fraction of total usage is set back to zero. Alternatively, the total usage 64 may be reset when the bill for the subscriber has been paid. Cellular service providers typically offer monthly service plans in their promotional programs that allow a certain amount of fractions to be free. Further, by prepaying the free usage amount 66 for each subscriber, the desired amount can be personally determined. If the subscriber requests some specific information, a special usage 68 column can be used. For example, special usage 68 may be assigned as the total number of minutes of long distance telephone calls made since the last billing period.

The subscriber may specify any part of the above information provided. One benefit of such a presentation is that it will be much easier to track cellular phone usage as the subscriber automatically receives his or her usage information each time the cellular phone 10 is turned on. For example, the total number of minutes that the cellular service has been used since the most recent billing period, the remaining unused minutes from the monthly service plan, or the total number of long-distance phone calls are presented. Subscribers should also add recent activity in their cellular accounts to an additional column,
It can then be specified to be presented when the cellular telephone 10 is turned on so that the subscriber is in a position to be aware of fraudulent activity. For example, a phone number may be presented during each of the last 5 calls or the last 5 calls.

Although the present invention has been particularly described with respect to cellular telephone networks, the passive information access system of the present invention can be applied to other communication services. For example, in cable or interactive television, other related to subscriber usage, such as total current unpaid charges or cumulative usage of pay-per-view programs and interactive television services. Subscribers can also choose to display information about, or the national average viewing time.

Further, the passive information access system can be implemented in conjunction with a credit card service. Credit card companies currently maintain a database of billing amounts for authenticity purposes.
You can add some information to this database and use it for passive access systems. For example, the number of transactions since the most recent billing date, the most recent place of purchase, or the cumulative amount of billing charges made since the most recent billing period may be provided, along with authenticity information.
Such information not only provides the basis for usage checking, but can also alert the user of the credit card to fraudulent use of the credit card. The information can be updated after each transaction at the same time the credit balance is updated.

What has been described herein is merely a description of other arrangements and methods that may be carried out by one of ordinary skill in the art. It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications of the invention that are within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a mobile radiotelephone network including a passive information access system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of passive information access as shown in FIG.
6 is a flow chart showing operation of a cellular telephone connected to the system.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of the passive information access system in relation to the operation of the cellular telephone as shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a table containing cellular usage data in a subscriber information database in a cellular telephone network.

[Explanation of symbols]

 8 Service Providers 9, 10, 11 Cellular Telephones 12 Cellular Base Stations 14 Switching Systems 15, 16, 17 Receiving Telephones

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— Inventor Abraham SilverShatz United States 07901 New Jersey, Summit, Hillside Avenue 19 A

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A passive information access system for use in a service subscription system comprising a service provider and at least one subscriber unit, wherein the passive information system is provided to the at least one subscriber unit. A database for storing unique subscriber information, and a detection for detecting at least one initialization signal from the at least one subscriber unit when the at least one subscriber unit is activated. Means for identifying the at least one activated subscriber unit from the at least one detected initialization signal; and unique to the at least one identified activated subscriber unit. Access means for accessing and retrieving the subscriber information of the database, System comprising a presentation means for presenting at least a portion relative to the at least one identified with activated subscriber unit of the subscriber information. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the presenting means includes a display for displaying the at least a portion of the accessed subscriber information. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the presenting means includes a voice converter for converting a digital signal of the at least a portion of the accessed subscriber information into a voice signal. 4. Means for storing said record of abuse in said database when said at least one subscriber unit informs said subscriber provider of abuse, said at least one Means for denying initialization of the at least one subscriber unit when the accessed subscriber information specific to the identified subscriber unit contains the record of the fraudulent use. ,
The system according to claim 1. 5. Connection means for making a service connection in response to a request from said at least one subscriber unit, and said at least one subscriber unit when said at least one respective subscriber unit is deactivated. Said detecting means for further detecting said at least one termination signal from a subscriber unit, and relating to said service connection to said at least one respective subscriber unit upon detection of said at least one termination signal To process the used data and
The processing system of claim 1, further comprising processing means for updating the accessed subscriber information based on the processed usage data associated with the service connection. 6. Means for presenting said predetermined portion of said accessed subscriber information to said at least one subscriber unit as selected by said one respective subscriber unit. The system of claim 1, further comprising: 7. The service provider provides telephony services, and the subscriber information unique to the at least one subscriber unit has accumulated calls during a billing period and unpaid within the billing period. The system of claim 1 including subscriber unit identification information and usage information, including usage of the subscriber unit. 8. The service provider provides credit card services and the at least one
The subscriber information unique to a single subscriber unit includes subscriber unit identification information and usage information including transactions accumulated during the billing period and unpaid total usage during the billing period. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that 9. The service provider provides television services, and the subscriber information unique to the at least one subscriber unit is accumulated during the billing period and identification information of the subscriber unit. Claim 1 characterized in that it includes usage information including ordered services being serviced and unpaid usage within the billing period.
System. 10. A passive access system for use in a service subscription system comprising a service provider and at least one subscriber unit, said passive information system being specific to said at least one subscriber unit. A database for storing subscriber information of said, and a receiver for detecting at least one initialization signal from said at least one subscriber unit when said at least one subscriber unit is activated, In order to identify at least one activated subscriber unit from the at least one detected initialization signal, subscriber information specific to the at least one identified and activated subscriber unit is provided. To access and retrieve the database, and at least the accessed subscriber information. A portion of the at least one
Host computer for presenting to one identified activated subscriber unit. 11. For storing a record of the abuse in the database when the at least one subscriber unit notifies the subscriber provider of abuse and the at least one identified Further comprising a host computer for rejecting initialization of the at least one subscriber unit when the accessed subscriber information specific to the subscriber unit includes the record of the abuse. Item 11. The system according to Item 10. 12. The database and the host
A switching system comprising a computer, the switching system being configured to make a service connection upon request from the at least one subscriber unit; and when the at least one respective subscriber unit is deactivated, A receiver for further detecting at least one termination signal from the at least one subscriber unit, associated with the service connection to the at least one respective subscriber unit upon detection of the at least one termination signal To further process the usage data
11. The system of claim 10, further comprising: the host computer for updating the accessed subscriber information based on the processed usage data associated with the service connection. 13. The host computer predetermines the portion of the accessed subscriber information for the at least one subscriber unit according to a selection by the at least one respective subscriber unit. The system according to claim 10, characterized by: 14. The service provider provides telephone services, and the subscriber information unique to the at least one subscriber unit has accumulated calls during a billing period and unpaid within the billing period. 11. The system of claim 10, including subscriber unit identification and usage information including usage of the subscriber unit. 15. The service provider provides credit card services, and the subscriber information unique to the at least one subscriber unit is accumulated during subscriber unit identification and billing periods. 11. The system of claim 10, including usage information including transactions and total usage outstanding during the billing period. 16. The service provider provides television services, and the subscriber information unique to the at least one subscriber unit is accumulated during the billing period and identification information of the subscriber unit. 11. The system of claim 10, including usage information including ordered services being serviced and unpaid usage within the billing period. 17. A method for providing passive information access in a service subscription system comprising a service provider and at least one subscriber unit, the subscriber being specific to said at least one subscriber unit. Storing information in a database; detecting at least one initialization signal from the at least one subscriber unit when the at least one subscriber unit is activated; and the at least one Identifying the at least one activated subscriber unit from the detected initialization signal; and subscriber information specific to the at least one identified activated subscriber unit in the database. Accessing and retrieving, and at least the subscriber information accessed A portion,
Presenting to the at least one identified and activated subscriber unit. 18. When the at least one subscriber unit notifies the subscriber provider of the abuse, storing a record of the abuse in the database; and the at least one identified. 18. Rejecting initialization of said at least one subscriber unit when said accessed subscriber information specific to said subscriber unit includes said record of said fraudulent use. The method described in. 19. A service connection upon request from said at least one subscriber unit, and at least from said at least one subscriber unit when said at least one respective subscriber unit is deactivated. Detecting one termination signal; processing usage data associated with the service connection to the at least one respective subscriber unit upon detection of the at least one termination signal; 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: updating the accessed subscriber information based on the processed usage data associated therewith. 20. According to a selection by said at least one respective subscriber unit, said at least one
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of predetermining the portion of the accessed subscriber information to be presented to a subscriber unit.